Pennsylvania Anesthesiologist Runs for US Senate

Editor's Note: Topics in Pain Management would like to hear from readers about any emerging political candidates who have a background in pain management.

Val Arkoosh, MD, MPH, an obstetric anesthesiologist, is running for United States Senate in Pennsylvania in the November 8, 2022 election. If she is elected, Arkoosh would be the first female physician to serve in the Senate, according to an article in MedPage Today (medpagetoday.com) that includes an in-depth interview with the candidate.

Arkoosh announced her run several months ago. In November, Mehmet Oz, known as "Dr. Oz" for his television shows, announced that he will run for the seat as well, as a Republican.

Arkoosh has a few-but only a few-things in common with US Rep. Andy Harris (R-Maryland). In 2008, Harris was the first anesthesiologist elected to Congress.

Both Harris and Arkoosh are obstetric anesthesiologists, and both have earned at least one degree from Johns Hopkins University. Both were elected to local or state office before running for Congress.

That's where the similarities end, however. Arkoosh is running as a Democrat and supports strengthening the Affordable Care Act, ensuring reproductive freedom for women, and other progressive issues. Harris has been one of the most conservative members of Congress and a staunch supporter of former president Donald Trump.

Arkoosh is chair of the Board of Commissioners of Montgomery County in Pennsylvania, just northwest of Philadelphia. The county has a population of more than 850,000.

Those interested can read the long interview published in MedPage Today.

Here is one of Arkoosh's answers when MedPage Today posed a question about the opioid epidemic:

"It's been a priority for me for the last few years in my work as county commissioner. We have worked very hard to get resources and education into the community. About 6 years ago now, I actually signed a standing order to our health department in our county to make Narcan accessible to anyone without a doctor's order," Arkoosh told MedPage Today. "I was instrumental in making sure that every police car in my county has been carrying Narcan, because oftentimes the police get there before an ambulance, so we had many lives saved because of the action taken by officers who were there first."

She continued, "One of the biggest pieces of this is reducing the stigma around substance use disorders. These illnesses should be treated like any other chronic illness, just like diabetes or high blood pressure or asthma. It's an illness that can be treated, that requires lifelong treatment, just like any other chronic condition. But there's still not enough treatment resources for people, and that is something that we need to prioritize." (See: Frieden J. Anesthesiologist sees health as a big issue in her run for Senate. MedPage Today. August 30, 2021; https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/healthpolicy/94279.)